Latest Area News Headlines

WORTHINGTON – Nobles County Emergency Management Director Joyce Jacobs is encouraging people to contact their township supervisors if they are out on a township road and happen to come across a spot that is damaged or eroded due to recent storms and has not yet been marked or barricaded.

It is hard to see at night, Jacobs said, and we may not be done with rain yet, so if people could let township supervisors know about any dangerous spots, it would help keep roads safer for everyone.

Jacobs said she has the supervisors out checking roads, because she has asked for damage...

WORTHINGTON – The city of Worthington is helping residents with the clean-up from the storms that went through by picking up branches next week. City Administrator Craig Clark said the service will be provided at no charge, but residents are responsible for getting the branches out to boulevards in time for the pick-up.

Branches must be at the curb Monday by 7 a.m. Clark said the crews hope to have the branches all picked up by Wednesday, but it is a one-shot deal, so once a crew goes through a neighborhood, they will not be back.

CURRIE - End O Line Railroad Park in Currie is temporarily closed due to flood waters. The park will open as soon as waters recede. For updates, go to www.endoline.com. According to Murray County Community Relations Coordinator Christy Riley, the park will likely remain closed until at least Friday, June 20.

ROCK VALLEY, Iowa – Due to storms and flooding in Rock Valley, Iowa, Mayor Kevin Van Otterloo has declared a State of Emergency.

Please stay off the roads. If you are not volunteering, stay off city streets to allow emergency services to provide assistance to those who need it the most.

Volunteers for sandbagging are needed. Please go to Trinity Church (2020 8th Street SE) for further instructions. For safety purposes, please wear proper work clothing, including shoes or boots and gloves. Do not wear flip flops or sandals. Transportation to emergency areas can be...

ROCK RAPIDS, Iowa – The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office has declared no travel is allowed in the county as of 8:30 a.m. Tuesday. This includes gravel, blacktops and state highways in Lyon County. Authorities report there are bridges washed out and water over roads.

Travel conditions are considered dangerous. Rivers are rushing after up to 10 inches of rain fell to start the week. Because the ground was already saturated, rain that fell had nowhere to go.

WORTHINGTON – According to the Minnesota Department of Transportation website 511mn.org, a variety of highways and roads are still closed this morning due to flooding. Motorists are asked to use extreme caution when traveling and to respect any barriers in place.

Several roads closed during yesterday’s storms have re-opened. Two were for semis that had blown over in the heavy wind gusts. The Minnesota State Patrol and MnDot had closed a section of I-90 between Luverne and Magnolia after a semi tipped on its side at about 3:14 p.m. Brian Niehus, 41, of Pipestone, had been travelling...

BIGELOW – The rain caused significant problems over the weekend, but lightening strikes were also an issue. The Bigelow Fire Department was called to a house fire shortly after 8 a.m. Saturday on King Avenue just 4 miles west of town, according to Fire Chief Steve Hohensee.

Lightening had struck the roof of the Scott Peterson home, and when firefighters arrived, fire was in the attic. Hohensee said flames were coming out one side of the house. The Sibley Fire Department was called for mutual aid, then requests were also made for aid from Rushmore and Little Rock.

WORTHINGTON – With weather an issue, we’ll do our best to keep you updated on happenings at the Worthington Windsurfing Regatta and Unvarnished Music Festival as decisions are made.

From Ken Moser:
Race director reporting sailing should be going on by 2, any lightening will delay racing.
The music will be at Ben Lees in downtown Worthington. Larry Myer takes the stage at 1 p.m., Land Shark at 3 p.m. At 6 p.m., Tinder Box takes the stage, followed by Ride at 8 p.m.
No decision on whether or not the Beer Garden will be open.
Chair Auction benefiting LOVE. Inc...